For Our Members

Early Childhood Education

Equity starts early. High-quality early education programs can improve outcomes and narrow achievement gaps for all kids, particularly children from low-income families.

State chiefs renewed their commitment to the importance of early learning in Equity Starts Early. This policy statement outlines the actions states can take to increase access to high-quality early learning programs for all children. To support states in these efforts, CCSSO is focusing on the following key areas:

-School Readiness and Transition to Elementary School

-Accelerating Improvement and Innovation in Early Learning Programs

-Family and Community Engagement

-Advocating for Expanded Access to High-Quality Early Childhood Programs

School Readiness

In September 2017, CCSSO partnered with Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes (CEELO) to create the Birth to Grade 3 Indicator Framework: Opportunities to Integrate Early Childhood in ESSA Toolkit. This toolkit provides a framework and research base for states to explore early learning possibilities in states. Explore concrete steps state education agencies can take in the short- and the long-term to include the early years in state school improvement plans, in pursuit of much larger goals around improving student outcomes and closing achievement gaps.

Accelerating Improvement and Innovation

State Collaborative on Assessment and Student Standards (SCASS)

The Early Childhood EducationState Collaborative on Assessment and Student Standards (ECE SCASS) is dedicated to supporting the work of state education agencies on issues of standards, instruction, assessment, data systems, and program design and accountability for children from birth to grade 3. Further information can be found here.

Family and Community Engagement

State Consortium on Family Engagement

The imprint of socialization and early learning is greatly influenced by a child’s family, community, and surroundings. State and federal education agencies recognize the importance of family engagement in the educational process. State policies on parental involvement and support structures for families are prevalent, as is federal policy through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Through December 2018, CCSSO will be working with six states to implement family engagement strategies, especially in low-income communities. These states will be elevating the outreach to early childhood providers and local districts by developing a Birth to Grade 12 Family Engagement Framework, which will offer a strategic approach to engaging families with early childhood providers and schools.

High-Quality Early Childhood Programs

Congress added a new provision to the ESEA, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to strengthen the coordination between early childhood and the K-12 systems. By requiring written agreements between school districts/charter schools and early childhood education programs, including Head Start categorically, the law works to promote collaboration to support young children as they transition into kindergarten and elementary school. This toolkit will provide information and resources to support local and state policymakers, school and early childhood program administrators, teachers, and other decision-makers to help children transition from early care and education to kindergarten and beyond.

School Readiness

In September 2017, CCSSO partnered with Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes (CEELO) to create the Birth to Grade 3 Indicator Framework: Opportunities to Integrate Early Childhood in ESSA Toolkit. This toolkit provides a framework and research base for states to explore early learning possibilities in states. Explore concrete steps state education agencies can take in the short- and the long-term to include the early years in state school improvement plans, in pursuit of much larger goals around improving student outcomes and closing achievement gaps.

Accelerating Improvement and Innovation

State Collaborative on Assessment and Student Standards (SCASS)

The Early Childhood EducationState Collaborative on Assessment and Student Standards (ECE SCASS) is dedicated to supporting the work of state education agencies on issues of standards, instruction, assessment, data systems, and program design and accountability for children from birth to grade 3. Further information can be found here.

Family and Community Engagement

State Consortium on Family Engagement

The imprint of socialization and early learning is greatly influenced by a child’s family, community, and surroundings. State and federal education agencies recognize the importance of family engagement in the educational process. State policies on parental involvement and support structures for families are prevalent, as is federal policy through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Through December 2018, CCSSO will be working with six states to implement family engagement strategies, especially in low-income communities. These states will be elevating the outreach to early childhood providers and local districts by developing a Birth to Grade 12 Family Engagement Framework, which will offer a strategic approach to engaging families with early childhood providers and schools.

High-Quality Early Childhood Programs

Congress added a new provision to the ESEA, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to strengthen the coordination between early childhood and the K-12 systems. By requiring written agreements between school districts/charter schools and early childhood education programs, including Head Start categorically, the law works to promote collaboration to support young children as they transition into kindergarten and elementary school. This toolkit will provide information and resources to support local and state policymakers, school and early childhood program administrators, teachers, and other decision-makers to help children transition from early care and education to kindergarten and beyond.